Scandinavian Modern Chairs
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture appear in the work of Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Characterized by bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries, Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with this style was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Bruno Mathsson, creator of the classic Grasshopper chair and Berlin daybed, but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the ’20s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced Scandinavian modern pieces based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while he produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Vernor Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern designs — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries. Even more than 50 years on from their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight.
1960s Dutch Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Ash
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Sheepskin, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Metal
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Aluminum
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Plastic
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Birch
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather, Faux Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Steel, Chrome
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Beech
1930s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Naugahyde, Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wood
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Ash
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Teak
1980s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Steel
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Chrome
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Rosewood
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Ash
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1950s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Wool, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Papercord, Walnut
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Pine
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Teak
2010s American Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Ash
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Oak
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Ash, Birch, Oak
1970s Norwegian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Plywood, Leather
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Teak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather
1930s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Birch
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Beech, Walnut
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Beech
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Leather
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Steel
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